Rafael Leão is a Portuguese left winger who plays for AC Milan. At 26, he remains part of Portugal's wider 2026 picture because he brings direct running, one-v-one quality, and final-third penetration at both club and international level.
Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão was born on 10 June 1999 in Almada, Portugal. He plays in Serie A and has 43 senior caps for Portugal.
Early Life and Background
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
Rafael Leão was born in Almada, Portugal, where his football development began before he moved into more structured academy football.
His youth football journey included important development time with Sporting CP's youth system. That stage helped build the technical base and positional habits that carried into senior football.
Club Career
Early clubs and development
Graduating from Sporting CP youth system, Leão made his first-team debut in 2018, winning the 2017–18 Taça da Liga, before unilaterally terminating his contract, following an incident involving a violent mob of ultras fans within the club's facilities.
Shortly after, he joined for Ligue 1 side Lille on a free transfer.
Current club and recent form
He has been with AC Milan since 2019, and recent market tracking places him at around €70.00 million.
Rafael Leão - Stats and Performance
Rafael Leão's current season with AC Milan shows 22 appearances, 9 goals, and 2 assists in Serie A.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/2026 | AC Milan | 22 | 9 | 2 |
International Career
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
He has 43 caps and 5 goals for Portugal in currently tracked records.
| National Team | Caps | Goals | Tournament Involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 43 | 5 | Portugal senior squad involvement |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Position, role, and standout qualities
Rafael Leão plays as a left winger and is valued for direct running, one-v-one quality, and final-third penetration.
Personal Info and Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão |
| Date of birth | 10 June 1999 |
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | Portugal |
| Height | 188 cm |
| Position | Left Winger |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | AC Milan |
| Jersey number | 17 |
| Weekly salary | €123,269 gross (estimated) |
| Estimated net worth | €42.0 million (approx. estimate) |
Transfer News and Market Value
Current transfer records show AC Milan as his club heading into 2026, with the move dating from 2019.
Salary and Net Worth
Current salary estimates place Rafael Leão at about €123,269 gross (estimated) per week at AC Milan. That works out to roughly €6,410,000 per year before bonuses.
Approximate net-worth estimates place him around €42.0 million.
FAQs
How old is Rafael Leão and what is his nationality?
Rafael Leão is 26 years old and he represents Portugal.
Which club does Rafael Leão play for now?
He currently plays for AC Milan.
What position does Rafael Leão play?
He plays as a left winger.
Is Rafael Leão part of Portugal's national-team picture?
Yes. With 43 caps currently listed, he remains part of Portugal's wider selection picture.
What is Rafael Leão salary and market value?
Salary: €123,269 gross (estimated). Market value: €70.00 million.